Shoot-out success gives Sparta 20th Czech Cup
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Article summary
An added-time equaliser and a penalty shoot-out win helped AC Sparta Praha beat FC Viktoria Plzeň and claim their 20th Czech Cup, clinching the double in the process.
Article top media content
Article body
AC Sparta Praha edged a shoot-out with FC Viktoria Plzeň after a dramatic 1-1 draw to win their 20th Czech Cup and clinch the double.
Plzeň took the lead in what turned out to be a spectacular final, when Radim Řezník's long-range shot was deflected in on 74 minutes. Dušan Uhrin's side missed several chances to add a second, Milan Petržela shooting over the bar from an excellent position in the best of the opportunities.
Despite seeming in control of the contest, Plzeň suddenly came undone in the last minute of added time. Sparta pressure brought a handball from Petržela in a crowded area and Josef Hušbauer, current top scorer in the Czech league, stayed cool to equalise from the penlty spot.
A shoot-out followed, and it featured just two misses each after nine rounds. Then Petržela's day went from bad to worse when his spot kick missed the target and Sparta right-back Pavel Kadeřábek stepped up to clinch the trophy.
"I am really happy about the excellent end to the season," Sparta midfielder Lukáš Vácha told UEFA.com. "We have achieved both the targets we set at the start of it. Now we all know that the next step is Champions League, which is a great motivation for all of us, I hope we will get ready for it."
Coach Vítězslav Lavička knew just how hard his side had had it in adding another trophy to the club's cabinet, adding: "Viktoria came really close to lifting the cup, they deservedly took the lead. We needed to react and believed to the last minute that we might fight back."
